Podcast Summary: "Echoes of Resilience with Jess Jacoi on Music Saved Me"

Podcast: takin' a walk – Music History On Foot
Host: Lynne Hoffman (guest-hosting on "Music Saved Me")
Guest: Jess Jacoi, Nashville-based singer-songwriter
Date: September 10, 2025
Duration: ~52 minutes (content summarized, advertisements omitted)

Overview

This episode features an in-depth and heartfelt conversation with Jess Jacoi, an acclaimed Nashville singer-songwriter celebrated for her emotionally-rich, cinematic folk music. The discussion centers on music as a tool for healing, resilience in the face of personal struggle, the power of vulnerability on and offstage, and the realities of pursuing a creative life in the modern world. Jess shares personal stories of loss and recovery, the hopes embedded in her songwriting, and her perspective on navigating today’s challenging music industry.

Main Topics & Key Insights

The Roots of Self-Doubt and the Importance of Support

• Self-Doubt as a Common Struggle ([01:10]–[02:32])
  Jess and Lynne agree that self-doubt is often more self-imposed than a reaction to outside negativity.

  "I have stood in my way more times than not. That’s just the honest truth."
  — Jess Jacoi ([01:33])

• Value of Support Systems
  Jess credits her mother as her foundation and "roots in the earth," underscoring the necessity of surrounding oneself with uplifting people.

Jess’s Musical Beginnings: Influence of Family and Country Icons

• Early Musical Inspirations ([07:12]–[08:43])
  Jess recalls singing as a child and stories from her mother, such as having movie soundtracks played to her before birth.
  • Key artists: Shania Twain’s "Up!", Alan Jackson’s "Drive," and Chris Daughtry.

  “My dad and I were super close growing up…and every day on the way to school, that was kind of our soundtrack.”
  — Jess Jacoi ([08:15])

Music’s Healing Power: Defining Moments

• Realizing Music’s Transformative Ability ([09:03])
  Jess describes a profound moment when a listener expressed how her song "Hope, Such a Long Way" moved her to tears at Porch Fest in Kentucky.

  “She’s like, ‘I didn’t know I needed to hear that song, but I needed to hear that song’ … this is not just for me.”
  — Jess Jacoi ([09:13])

• Porch Fest Explained ([11:04]–[12:15])
  Porch Fests, community-based music gatherings, foster connections between artists, hosts, and listeners.

Music as Solace in Grief and Transition

• Personal Loss and Emotional Resilience ([13:12]–[16:42])
  Jess lost her father to cancer at 19, a swift and traumatic experience that galvanized her move to Nashville and her creative path.
  • She leaned on songs like "Come Thou Fount" (King’s Kaleidoscope), "Oh God" (Citizens), and "Tomorrow Will Be Kinder" (The Secret Sisters) for comfort in her darkest moments.

  “Those were probably the three songs that got me through. Most especially ‘Tomorrow Will Be Kinder.’ I still will probably weep… but it’s a good comfort song.”
  — Jess Jacoi ([15:37])

Songwriting: Vulnerability, Abstraction, and Impact

• Walking the Line of Vulnerability ([17:16]–[18:28])
  Jess acknowledges the nuanced balance between being raw and leaving enough abstraction to allow listeners to bring their own meaning.

  "If you keep it real... I tried to have those raw moments but keep it abstract enough that people could find their own meaning in those lyrics."
  — Jess Jacoi ([18:14])

• Artistry vs. Commercial Pressure
  Drawing from influences like Jason Isbell and Gregory Alan Isakov, Jess strives for honest expression—often focused more on artistic process than outside judgment.

Recurring Themes: Hope, Silver Linings, and Serendipity

• Core Lyric Motifs ([27:05]–[29:12])
  Hope and silver linings recur throughout her discography ("Silver Linings," "Let There Be No Despair," "Cul de sac Kid"), with an intentional drive to leave listeners with optimism, not just catharsis.

  "If I’m going to punch you in the gut, I should give you a hug afterwards."
  — Jess Jacoi ([27:48])

• Serendipity and the Value of Difficult Experiences
  Jess views hardships as essential to personal growth, often finding their meaning only in hindsight.

Fan Relationships and Inspiration

• How Fans Shape Creativity ([30:12]–[31:36])
  Interactions and conversations—sometimes with fans across the globe—inspire lyrics and themes. Songs may amalgamate various lived conversations and experiences.

  “A lot of my songs… are amalgamations of different conversations I've had or things that happen in my day.”
  — Jess Jacoi ([30:29])

Navigating the Modern Industry: Social Media and Self-Worth

• Industry Pressures and Social Metrics ([34:08]–[38:13])
  Jess candidly discusses the anxiety fostered by social media metrics, the pressure for followers and streams, and the tradeoff between artistic integrity and algorithmic visibility.

  "It seems to be creating a roadblock for me to advance in the industry. ... At the end of the day, those 3,200 people who follow you, they’re real people. They are people you have met along the way."
  — Jess Jacoi ([36:54])

Music as Healing, Connection, and Authenticity

• Why Music Heals ([42:42]–[43:53])
  Music’s healing comes from its multifaceted nature—sometimes the lyrics, sometimes the melody, sometimes the person themselves.

  "I think it can be everything and only one thing, you know, all of those things in one thing."
  — Jess Jacoi ([42:50])

• The Call for More Human Connection
  Both host and guest stress the importance of slowing down, stepping away from devices, and seeking authentic interactions through art and conversation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Self-Doubt:
  “I have stood in my way more times than not.” – Jess Jacoi ([01:33])
• On Fan Encounters:
  “This is not just for me...I always say like, I'm a steward of these songs...finding people along the way who really resonate with them, I was like, wow, maybe that was written for you.” – Jess Jacoi ([09:13])
• On Grief:
  “I just played those three songs, like, over and over and over in my headphones… Those were probably the three songs that got me through.” – Jess Jacoi ([15:37])
• On Themes in Her Work:
  “If I’m going to punch you in the gut, I should give you a hug afterwards.” – Jess Jacoi ([27:48])
• On Social Media Pressures:
  “It seems to be creating a roadblock for me to advance in the industry. ... At the end of the day, those 3,200 people who follow you on Instagram, they’re real people.” – Jess Jacoi ([36:54])

Key Timestamps

• [01:10] – Discussion on self-doubt and personal motivation
• [07:12] – Musical beginnings and childhood influences
• [09:03] – The healing power of music: porch fest revelation
• [13:12] – Story of Jess’s father, moving to Nashville, and music as solace
• [17:16] – Vulnerability in songwriting
• [27:05] – Recurring themes: hope and silver linings
• [34:08] – Social media anxiety and industry expectations
• [42:42] – The question: what makes music healing?
• [47:27] – Music to change a mood: Don Williams’ "I’m Just a Country Boy"
• [47:46] – Life soundtrack title: "Just try it (don’t be scared)"

Closing Thoughts

Jess Jacoi’s journey highlights the healing role of music in overcoming pain, loss, and self-doubt. Her grounded approach to songwriting champions honesty and resilience, advocating for creative authenticity in an industry often weighed down by numbers and trends. Through candid stories, tangible advice, and memorable moments, Jess reminds listeners of the universal threads of hope and connection that music can provide.

Final Takeaway:

“Just try it. Don’t be scared. … Keep doing you, and try to be happy along the way.”
— Jess Jacoi ([47:46], [33:43])

For more, listen to Jess Jacoi’s music and follow her journey for further reflections on hope, healing, and authenticity in the creative life.